“If you can prove that there’s something hard to do and we work it out together and it gets better, you train people’s muscle memory to turn TO each other — not to turn ON each other.”
~Mike Johnson, Mayor of Denver
On Tuesday morning, I decided to go down the hill for water and to empty trash. That’s part of “The LTVA Package.” In La Posa South where I’m staying, they have fresh water and dumpsters down by the entrance. That makes life so much easier. I continued on to get propane and treated myself to a burrito at my favorite Mexican take-out in town. As I returned to my spot, I got a text from Matt. He said “You just drove past me. I’m getting water.” He had arrived a day earlier than expected and within minutes was pulling into my campsite. I had already scoped out a larger spot on a nearby peninsula (surrounded on 3 sides by washes) and when I pointed it out to him, he was as excited as I was about it. He pulled in and set up, and I packed up and drove to the next “avenue” and joined him. We hung out most of the day and got caught up and had a campfire that evening. Life had returned to what it is supposed to be here in Quartzsite.
Matt sold his van this summer when he decided to give up his place in Michigan and join the ranks of full-time nomads. He got a 28’ travel trailer. It is an excellent living space.
We spread out and I put up my tiny tent, and he put one up as well. He put out his solar lights, and I put out my table and chairs and some lights too. It looks like a whole tribe occupies our spot, which is the look we were going for. Keeps the riff raff out. 😊
It’s been a week of having morning coffee together, going for rides in his truck (he sold his side-by-side over the summer) and hanging out after dinner at a campfire. I am so happy to be camping next to him again. We just seem to do really well together, with a good balance of doing things together and now, on our second winter together, easily picking up on cues that one of us needs alone time. It feels like we’ve been family for a long time. I think because we both live the same life, want the same things in not only camping spots, but neighbors, space, etc., we get along so well.
Lessons From The Road: It’s good to be home. I know I say that often throughout the year, but each “home” is a different experience. Late fall and early winter, it’s good to be back to camping with Matt, going to gatherings and drum circles, and community bonfires. It’s nice to always know where the closest water, propane, dumpster and groceries are (and this time of year they are very close). Matt takes a drive most days, so we pass the dumpsters and he has a big bladder (not the one inside his body) that he carries in the bed of his truck. We fill that most of the time when coming back into the LTVA and he either tops off his freshwater tank or mine. I never have to think about running out of water. We dump trash every time we leave camp. These are things most people take for granted, but many times throughout the year, these things take some planning and research. But here at The Magic Circle, I won’t have to think about them for months to come.
I also won’t have to move my van until I need propane. (about once a month) Matt likes driving his truck and is generous enough to take me with him when he goes into town for supplies. He has a propane grill, and he often grills vegetables I bring over and cooks my veggie burger, and we can eat together under the stars. It’s a good gig.
And finally, my happy song of the week:
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)
See you down the road,